Visibility and natural quiet in national parks and wilderness areas - Psychological considerations

For over a century, authorities have recognized cultural and psychological benefits of preserving national parks and wilderness areas. Yet, with increases in visitation and mechanized travel, air and noise pollution are intruding more and more into preserved natural areas. Psychological research shows that humans can detect very low levels of these pollutants in natural and laboratory settings, that air and noise pollution detract from the enjoyment of the visitor experience, and that people place a high value on naturally quiet, pollution-free settings. This article discusses how psychological research is essential for a more complete understanding of the value and the influence of both visibility and quiet surroundings with a focus on applied, field-based research in national parks and wilderness areas. The article concludes with recommendations for future directions in research in these areas and argues that implications of psychological research results should be addressed in the natural resource policy-making process.